The Bossier banner., 1887-08-11

to put forth the long slumbering powers of
thought, with the grand thought / must de-
pend upon my own energies.
The late civil war dissolved the mists of
eiroumstantial and fortuitous greatness. Men
don't ask the old questions now which once
shamed our manhood, sis he rich 7 is she rich?"
but that other higher, truer and grauder ques-
ton, lis he honorable, industrious and ener-
getie r. is he q true man, or fashionable
butterfly, or a brainless fop?
Out of this spirit of fself-reliance-this grand
individuality of manhood-this necessity of
personal responsibility, will be born many q
grand decd.
The future well-being of the South depends
upon the moral and Intellectual vigor and
power of the rising generation. Every senti-
ment of humanity imperitively demands of
the human heart to weep over the wide vast
ing woes and horrors inflicted upon US as a
people, by the desolating influences of the
great evil, EatemperGnce. The devastations of
this grand moral evil, blasting the bright pros
poets of our sorrowful land, demands that we
should lift up our voices in tones of pleading
love, and warn the youth of our native land to
beware of youthful dissipation.
Young men edacate your intellects; culti-
vate your hearts; gather knowledge from
earth and light and strength from Heaven
Young mcn your cOuntry's future rests upon
you When your fathers, who have fought in
defence of our noble country, sleep in honored
tombs, you will be called upon to battle for
constitutional freedom, and go forth as the
defenders of law, order, good government,
truth and justice, and to fill every station in
life. Young men of the South! may you fulfill
the proud hopes of your country, and realize
the dreams of your fathers and the prayers of
your mothers, in nobly battling for the majes-
ty OF truth, the dignity of law and the rights
of humanity.
Now, wish in my feeble way, to say a few
words in honor of the fair ladies of our coun-
try, though eternity alone will untold the
power OF woman. Woman s mission compasses
the woes and wants of suffering humanity
Man, as he is, fallen and sorrowful; tempted
and tried; broken and reeling under the great
burden OF his woe, needs some voice to cheer
him on, some hand to guide him in duty
path, some beaming eye to mark his coming,
and look brighter when he comes.
A true woman is always charitable. She
listens to the sobbing from lonely hearts; hears
the pleadings of the poor and needy, and
stands ready to wipe the tear from the white
cheek of anguish, and whisper words of hope
to the friendless orphans of earth. She labors
tor the advancement of all those exalted
principles which adorn humanity and rescue
mankind from paths of error.
Ihe South owes much to wOman's influence.
With the dread hardships and lonely woe of
years, and now she sits by the grave of her
buried idol, and baptises their immortal names
IN the tears of a brave and holy SORROW Now
she gathers uD the deathless dust of her house
hold gods from the lonely trenches of the bat
tie fields and shrines them in monumental
tombs, and wreaths them with flowers that
can never die.
Many coward heart has beat with the bit
ter tremblings of fear in the caves and valleys
of his native land, while wife, a mother, a
sister or daughter, stood by the burning
wreck of desolated homes, and proudly hurled
the words of scorn and grand defauce into the
remorseless hearts of those who had turned
them homeless wanderers through the land
Permit me to call your attention to the four
beautiful relations which woman snstains to
man
1. MOTHER: How ehildhood's memories
cluster around that endearing, honored name
BoyhoOd's dreams hover about it; manhood's
hoilest associations group reverently over the
memory of dear mothers words of hope.
2. WIFE: In this sacred relation she is the
angel Of home; the weary, aching head car
rest on no holer shrine of earth than on hel
trusting heart One in interest, one in destiny
as in affection, she soothes him in his sorrows
| connsels him in his trials, and triumphs in his
| success. Fallen and crushed under the bur
dens of life, she lures him lovingly with high
soft words of hope and courage. When mis-.
fortune grows darker every hour, she shine.
| down upon his lonely way, and creates new
energy in his soul.
SISTER: How often has the gentle words ot
sister won an crring brother, and led his
| wandering footsteps to the altar Of religion ani
| the paths of honor? Her pure love follow.
him like holy memory or pleading angel
| nor can he wholly free himself from its in.
| fiuence. Go where he may, that sisters i'm
age shines upon the troubled waters of his soul
DAUGHTER: The clinging fondness OF &
| daughter cleaves to manhoods broken wrecl
| with mistaken trust and holy love, bathes tht
| hot and care-worn cheek with tears from {
| pure heart, and soOthes the toll of life will
words OF devotion and peace-the music of he]
tender tones clings around the shadows of q
| fading life, and her gentle presence shine.
| over dying hour like a great glory from som,
| shining world of rest.
| Mother, Wife, Sister and Daughter Home
and Heaven are words of kindred sweetness.
| Time and eternity; life and death; joy ani
| sorrow; victory and defeat, are crowned will
| their glory.
My honored Ladies'! May you realize you1
power and influence, and lead the youth of oul
| country to the mountain lights of influence
| and duty and guide their happiness from the
| SORROWS and temptations of the life that now
| is to the golden shores of that beautiful anG
blessed land where all is rest and peace.
Thanking you, ladies and gentlemen, for
| your kind attention, l resign the stand and
more able to entertain you.
At the conclusion of above address
dinner was announced and dispatch.
ed.
At the close of the day, Company
B was called together, with f. M
Barnett as chairman, and r. Oakley
Secretary, and elected F. NJ Barnett
President of this Union for the next
twelve months, and 7. Oakley Secre-
tary and Treasurer.
After Treasurer's report was made
there still remains 81 rs in the Treas
ury.
The President appointed a com
mite of five members to appoint a
time and place for the next reunion
of the Company.